Looking to purchase an 03' SL500....can anyone convince me otherwise?
 

Aside from looking out for flood damage, is there any other reason why I shouldn't pick her up for 57k? (21000miles) Full remainder of factory warranty. Thanks in advance!!

Is it an MB Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, or a private sale? If it's a private sale, have a thorough inspection done first. In this case I'd stay away from the indies. The car's simply too new. A dealer should charge about $200 for a detailed inspection. Good luck

good luck
 

Just do it, you only live once. Since its a 2003, ask the seller where he got it serviced, go there and get the records pulled on it. I'd be concerned in finding out the car has been serviced to all specs, and then get a dealer check done. I got one done once, and it also included a system scan, it picked up codes for things even with the check engine light off, but I paid $300 dollars.

IF you can tolerate a brake system that has had 4 recalls & will be a DEAD DUCK in 5-6 years then go ahead!

Other than SBC those cars are wonderful,,

Is SBC really a big enough factor to stay away from a vehicle?

I would avoid SBC like the plague. MBZ has even switched back to the traditional style of brakes as SBC is just a maintenance nightmare. You won't even be able to change your own brake pads without purchasing an expensive aftermarket tool or going to the dealer to have the system put to sleep and depressurized!

Unique to this model?
 

Hey, Doc, is the brake system on the '03 SL500 common to other models of that vintage? What is SBC?

SBC is basically electronically controlled brake-by-wire. It does not guarantee shorter stopping distances or anything - I have no idea what the thinking was behind cost vs. benefit analysis. I have read, too, that brake feel is weird - the actual feel is simulated since your foot is not really applying direct braking pressure. The pressure is applied via electronics.

The system is brake by wire-so the brake pedal is just a switch. I have an SBC car and knowing what I know now of the system-I would not change my mind purchasing the car. The main advantages are pressure reduction at standstill, brake feel is not related to pad thickness, rotor drying, faster traction control response, less pressure at standstill, braking is done an individual wheel basis through wheel speed sensors, and force distribution is variable front-to-back and side-to-side and it has a hydraulic system in case of failure.

There is no other system like this on the market-but there are some disadvatnages-the system is constantly pressurizing which can be annoying during traffic, The performance numbers may not be any better than the conventional systems but your everyday braking distances will be shorter meaning you need to underbrake so the guy behind you doesn't rear end you. Also you will have to figure out how to make the car soft-stop. People complain that they cant wrench at home on these cars but you are driving the most advanced braking system.

have any of you driven any SBC car in manual mode????? it is VERY hard to stop when you KNOW you are in manual mode and are trying to stop just going 5-10 mph.i would hate to think of system failure at highway speeds!!!!! also only front brake pressure is applied in manual bypass mode. this is major reason for increased effort in manual bypass mode. that being said, i would buy an SL but only have it for few years. agree with previous poster, in 6+ years, a mainetnance nightmare probably. i have an independent mb shop and possess the software necessary to deactivate SBC. so would be no prob for me, but for the general public?????

I wouldn't be concerned with maintenance issues. So you have to cough up a few extra bucks to have the brake pads changed. Big deal. It's not like it's a monthly expense. Besides, you're not driving a 123 diesel. As far as expensive repairs? MB has extended the warranty on the SBC hydraulic unit to ten years with unlimited mileage. If you like the car, buy it, drive it, and enjoy it!!!

Not true!!! Chassis 211, 219, and R230 will use SBC for the entire production run. MB won't add SBC to any new or existing models, but they won't switch back to traditional braking systems on previously SBC equipped models.

The 2007 W211 will not have SBC...

You have obviously never driven a Citroen, Pallas, DX or the like....yes ?:grin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Citroen_ds_break_h_sst.jpg
Image:Citroen ds break h sst.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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